The trade bodies Cré and IrBEA representing the entire sector have hired an international expert to conduct a number of reports which examined the potential of the anaerobic digestion sector to decarbonise the agri and waste sectors with multiple cross-sectoral benefits. These reports assessed that potential in terms of available feedstocks and quantifies the benefits in terms of GHG emission reduction by 2030 to 32% of total national Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In terms of absolute figures, all evaluated scenarios of power production and combined heat and power production exhibit cumulative annual offsets ranging from 1.1 billion to 1.5 billion Euro by 2030, depending on the corresponding CO2eq price.
In addition to quantifiable benefits outlined in the reports, there are additional benefits which cannot be easily quantified, nor economically assessed. Among these benefits is flexible use of the natural gas grid for heating, cooling and transport, rural development and sustainable agriculture, improved air quality related to alternative waste treatment pathways. View reports here.
Report 1: The Potential Size of the Anaerobic Digestion Industry in Ireland by the Year 2030
Report 2: Anaerobic Digestion Industry Potential Contribution to CO2 Mitigation in Ireland
Report 3: Evaluation of The Benefi ts of CO2 Abatement Delivered from Anaerobic Digestion in Ireland